Joakim Noah on being with Grizzlies: ‘I’m the happiest I’ve been in my life’

Joakim Noah on being with Grizzlies: ‘I’m the happiest I’ve been in my life’

On Feb 14, 2019

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Despite not winning matches continuously, veteran Joakim Noah is quite enjoying his relationship with his current team now.

After almost four years of darkness, the light is finally coming through for Noah. “I lost my confidence,” he confessed to Sam Smith of NBA.com. He’s been through a lot with his former team; suffering knee and shoulder injuries, being suspended for violating the league’s anti-drug policy and having a beef with former head coach Jeff Hornacek, led the New York Knicks to basically banish him.

“Now I am starting to get my swagger back on the court.” Noah exclaimed. “Memphis gave me an opportunity; that was the only team that called. I am starting to feel better and better every time I step on the court because I am playing consistently and I am healthy for the first time in a long time, knock on wood.”

“This is my 12th season,” Noah stated. “I’ve been through a lot of ups and downs. There were times with the Knicks I thought it was over. But right now as much as we are losing, it’s like I’m the happiest I’ve been in my life. I’ve got my daughter, who is a beautiful daughter, Leia; she’s two. My son Emaan. My beautiful girlfriend (Lais Ribeiro) is awesome; I love her to death. I am at peace in my life.”

The 33-year-old center is averaging 5.2 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.5 assists in the 28 games he played with Memphis. Now that Marc Gasol has left due to a trade, fans can expect that Noah will have more playing time with the Memphis Grizzlies (Janiel Abby Toralba)